Griffins couldn't net insurance marker, but are full marks for dominant 1-0 win over Lethbridge
Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
LETHBRIDGE, Alta. – While they left multiple high-quality looks on the table and would dearly loved to have scored more, the bottom line is the Griffins women's soccer team secured three points on Saturday.
That they escaped with a 1-0 triumph over winless Lethbridge can be filed under the 'there's no picture on the scorecard' category.
Three points is three points.
"100 per cent," agree head coach Dean Cordeiro. "We did what we needed to do, we got the goal in the first half, which was nice. It would have been nice to have an insurance marker or two, but again overall we created a lot, we had a lot of the ball, and we were dictating the terms, which was good.
"We'd like to score a couple more, of course, but the bottom line is one is all that was needed."
The Griffins completely dominated the Pronghorns, outshooting them 29-6 (16-3 on goal), but it was only Sophie Lavallee who was able to beat former Griffin Kate Prince (who had 15 saves), volleying an Ella Fownes long-range free kick past her in the 43rd minute.
"Free kick just on the other side of half for us," said Cordeiro. "Ella serves a nice ball in, Sophie gets on the end of it and a quality finish by her. It was a hell of a finish. I think it was a bit of a half volley off the bounce. Good placement and Sophie made no mistake."
GOAL��
— MacEwan Griffins Women's Soccer (@Griffins_WSOC) October 4, 2025
Sophie Lavallee gets on the end of an Ella Fownes free kick to put the @MacEwanGriffins up 1-0 on @UofLPronghorns just before the half.#GriffNation pic.twitter.com/Xbvn5SY0s3
Lavallee was named player of the game for the Griffins with a terrific outing with a goal and seven shots, including five on target – tied for the eighth-most in a Canada West match by a Griffin.
"She was busy all over and got a lot of shots on net," said Cordeiro. "She was unlucky not to have a couple others, but she scored a big goal for us."
With the result, the Griffins improve to 7-3-1, maintaining their hold on third place in the Prairie Division, now three points ahead of Saskatchewan (6-4-1) after the Huskies tied division leader Calgary (9-0-2) on Saturday.
Sabrina Alexander earned her third shutout of the season in the victory.
"Clean sheet by Sabby and overall defensively away from the ball, I thought we did a great job, limiting opportunities. We've got to do the same tomorrow," said Cordeiro, whose team will play the Pronghorns again on Sunday (12 p.m., Canada West TV). "I'm excited about facing them again and hopefully we can come out strong and take care of business."
